Proteas suffer their first defeat in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour.

Belvue Primary School was the first team to defeat the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour. With a 33 run win on the 5^th of November in Cape Town, they got the KFC Mini-Cricket kids back into the series after the Proteas won the first two matches of the seven match series. 

The Proteas and the Belvue Primary School teams on the day were both mixed sides, providing a great example to all young boys and girls who are getting active with KFC Mini-Cricket across the country that cricket is not a sport for males only.

Winning the toss and electing to field, the Proteas were up against it right from the start. With batting being the strength of the Belvue team, they used it to their advantage early on dispatching Shabnim Ismail and Thami Tsolekile to all parts of the field.

The expected nerves seem to do little to hinder the youngsters against their more seasoned opposition, but just as everything was going great for the KFC Mini-Cricket kids thanks to knocks from Rubin Deppe, Joshua Plaatjies and David Wagner, Alexis le Breton got the Proteas back into the game with two wickets in her first over.

There was little time for celebration for the Proteas team however, as Nicole Numan and Geneva Fillies put Belvue back on the front foot with some inspired stroke making while Rory Kleinveldt battled to find his rhythm. Once they departed, it was then time for Wilma Jones’ son Jesse to show what he was capable off.

Wilma, who’s friend Lana Knipe was the 3^rd winner in the KFC Mini-Cricket kids vs Proteas Tour competition and nominated Belvue Primary School to play against the Proteas, believes her son will be the next Jacques Kallis.

She was filled with excitement as he strode to the crease, but he was sadly bowled first ball by Mosline Daniels. After that initial setback though, he partnered with Waalied Adams and put together a formidable partnership that took the KFC Mini-Cricket kids to a score of 91 in their allotted 8 overs.

In response to the daunting target, the Proteas started slowly as Waalied Adams, the man of the match, was again proving to be a thorn in their side, this time with the ball. At the halfway stage, the Proteas had only 38 runs on the board despite the experienced Alviro Pietersen doing his best at the crease. Needing 53 runs from 24 balls, the Proteas could only manage another 20 runs, and with that, Belvue Primary were the deserving victors.

Team coach and Grade 1 teacher at Belvue Primary, Desiree Layman, was naturally overjoyed by the result; “I am bursting with pride. The kids were very nervous this morning and we were worried that they would not perform the way that we know they can due to their nerves. Some of the players don’t believe enough in themselves but today’s game will give them more confidence”.

From a proud coach to a proud parent, Wilma Jones also had an amazing day watching her son take on the Proteas; “I saw that my son has the temperament to play like Kallis. He started slowly but when he warmed up, he was unstoppable”.

With the Proteas now only leading the series 2-1, the next game at Edleen Primary in Kempton Park provides the KFC Mini-Cricket kids the chance to square things up on December the 19^th. This match takes place on the day before the Proteas play their first KFC T20 International against Pakistan, providing the perfect backdrop to inspire the young cricketers to get active and enjoy themselves against their heroes in a game that they love.